TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University football team is on its way to Newberg, Oregon to face off against George Fox University for its first Northwest Conference road game of the 2019 campaign.
The Lutes (1-2, 0-1 NWC) have some fire and energy built up after an upset last week, falling 28-14 on Homecoming to Lewis & Clark College. The homecoming matchup was a long fight, but ultimately the Pioneers controlled the ball and the possession battle, having the ball for almost 37 minutes.
The Lutes put up two touchdowns on Saturday, one in which came from
Cody Barnett on the defensive side of ball when he had an interception and ran it back for 51 yards early in the third quarter.
"I'm not going to lie, I blanked on the whole moment it happened so fast." said Barnett after his recollection of the moment. "It was my first pick six and I don't remember much until getting to the sideline when my team approached me with so much energy."
Barnett had a good game, racking up six tackles and three pass breakups to go along with his interception for a touchdown. But for him that wasn't enough without being able to walk away with the win.
"It was very disappointing, but it was also a good learning experience. We got to find out a lot about our weaknesses and what we need to work on. As a team we have been disappointed in the last couple outcomes of the games, but our hopes remain high."
In most cases the standard and expectations of the team and season would be lowered, but not for Barnett and the rest of the Lutes football team.
"Just knowing the potential that we have and the fact that our ceiling is very high gives us a lot to play for. We still want to win conference, improve as team as the season goes on, and personally I want to earn all conference corner honors."
A junior business major,
Cody Barnett is among a small percentage of college athletes that got the opportunity to play with a sibling. He got to play with his brother
Carson Barnett for his first two years at Pacific Lutheran University.
"It was an awesome experience being able to play alongside Carson! We are already super close, but being able to play on the field together as adults brought us even closer," said Cody. "PLU was already high on my list as a college option, but being able to play with him and have him around campus all the time with me made it an even easier decision."
When Cody isn't grinding on the football field, you can find him in the classroom and on campus working towards a couple business degrees.
"I hope to get my MBA next year. I'm thinking about going into Med Sales. It is what my brother and my dad do, so following in those steps wouldn't be so bad."
With six games remaining the Lutes keep their focus forward and not behind them.
"We are optimistic. Optimistic knowing that we have a lot of potential. We have a lot to work on. Optimistic knowing we still have a lot to prove to ourselves and others."
The Lutes and Bruins kick off on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Oct. 12: PLU vs. George Fox in Newberg, Oregon (1 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Bruins have met just five times since GFU started its gridiron program in 2014 with PLU owning a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series. George Fox got the best of the Lutes in 2018, prevailing 35-7 after scoring the opening 28 points of the game.
About the Bruins: George Fox (1-3, 0-1 NWC) looks to erase last weekend's heartbreak after falling 24-23 to the University of Puget Sound after missing an extra point in overtime.
Jaden Sheffey is the Bruins' starting quarterback, passing for 591 yards and four touchdowns in the opening four games while running for an additional two TDs. Anthony Garcia and Ethan Kassebaum have split the load at running back, racking up 293 yards and three TDs between the duo. Kenny May is the top receiving target with 12 catches for 276 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Daniel Campos leads the team, averaging 12.0 tackles per game with three sacks on the season. Kicker Jason Santoni has hit two field goals this season, including a 48-yarder while converting five extra points.
